The Uttar Pradesh government has reportedly asked the central Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to defer the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati because of “public anger” over the “script” and “distorted historical facts”. The release of the film, the state government’s letter to the ministry says, could lead to an “adverse effect” on the law and order situation and also “pose serious security issues”.

The letter, from UP’s principal secretary (home) Arvind Kumar, also says that the administration will be busy on December 1 – the date of the film’s release – with the counting of civic poll votes and preparations for the Muslim festival Barawafat, Indian Express reported. “…while movies based on facts, with positive stories, motivate and influence the society to move on the right path, movies with distorted historical facts, exaggeration, false and fictional stories create a vicious atmosphere in the nation and society, develop social hatred and generate serious challenges for law and order,” the letter says.